Director of Development, Center Politics

The University of Virginia seeks an accomplished and entrepreneurial fundraising professional to serve as Director of Development for the Center for Politics
, one of the nation's most recognized and influential nonpartisan institutions dedicated to advancing public understanding of politics, government, and civic engagement.

Founded by Professor Larry J. Sabato, the Center for Politics reaches audiences around the world through conferences, publications, educational programs, public events, and Emmy Award-winning documentaries that foster informed citizenship and strengthen democratic participation. This is a unique opportunity to join a world-class university and help secure the philanthropic support that will sustain and expand the Center's impact.

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Development and partnering closely with Center leadership, the Director of Development will lead the Center's fundraising efforts, cultivate meaningful donor relationships, and build a strong pipeline of support for the Center's priorities and future growth.

The ideal candidate is a relationship-driven fundraising leader who combines strategic thinking, strong communication skills, and a proven ability to inspire philanthropic investment.

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• The ability to build trusted relationships with donors, volunteer leaders, colleagues, and institutional partners.
• A practical, collaborative, and entrepreneurial approach to growing philanthropic support and donor engagement.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to translate organizational priorities into compelling philanthropic opportunities and donor-centered communications.
• Sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and political and cultural awareness.
• The ability to establish priorities, navigate complexity, and build momentum in an evolving environment.
• A demonstrated capacity to work independently while partnering effectively with leaders, volunteers, and colleagues to achieve ambitious fundraising goals.
• A passion for connecting donors with opportunities that advance education, civic engagement, and public service.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and execute a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including annual, major, principal, and planned giving.
• Manage a portfolio of individual, corporate, and foundation prospects, engaging donors through all stages of the philanthropic cycle.
• Partner with Center leadership to identify priorities and develop compelling opportunities for philanthropic investment.
• Collaborate with and engage the Center's Board of Advisors to support fundraising and donor relationship-building efforts.
• Develop a sustainable pipeline of philanthropic support and strengthen donor stewardship and engagement.
• Co-supervise and provide clear priorities to an administrative support professional.

• Education
  :
  Bachelor's degree
• Experience
  : at least eight years of relevant professional experience, including significant responsibility for fundraising, donor relations, development operations, or a closely related advancement function.
• Ability to travel strategically and participate in occasional evening and weekend activities when they advance defined fundraising and donor-engagement objectives.

• Experience fundraising in higher education, a nonprofit organization, or another complex, mission-driven institution.
• A proven record of managing donor relationships and prospect portfolios that include individuals capable of making gifts of $100,000 or more.
• Demonstrated success identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding major gift prospects.
• Success developing and implementing fundraising strategies that achieve measurable philanthropic outcomes.
• Experience working with volunteer leaders, advisory boards, or similar constituent groups in support of fundraising and donor engagement.
• Experience providing functional direction to staff while balancing leadership responsibilities with active portfolio management.

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

• Theanticipatedhiring range is $130,000 - $140,000,commensurate with education and experience.

• This is an exempt-level,benefited position. Learn more…